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UK-based retail chain Booker plans to open about 20 cash-and-carry stores in India in the next five years, even as it comes up against more ambitious plans by bigger players including Wal-Mart, Carrefour and Metro. Booker opened its first store in Mumbai in 2009 and has since grown to three locations in India.

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Thailand-based retailer Siam Makro will open cash-and-carry wholesale stores in India, sources said, putting it in competition with big players including Wal-Mart and Metro. India's laws allow for 100% foreign ownership of cash-and-carry stores, which can sell to retailers and other businesses but not directly to consumers.

Consumer electronics retailer WOW will close all of its stores and lay off 600 workers later this month, after entering receivership and failing to find a buyer for the chain. WOW will stop honoring outstanding gift cards as it holds clearance sales to sell off existing inventory.

UK grocery chain Wm Morrison Supermarkets reported a 7% rise in 2011 sales, buoyed by a focus on food sales, which remained relatively strong as consumer spending in nonfood categories slowed. The chain plans to roll out its fresh food format, which features artisan butchers, bakers and fishmongers, to 15% of its stores in the first half of 2012.

Future Group, Videocon, Reliance Retail, Wadhawan and other retailers in India are delaying their plans for implementing cash-and-carry operations so they can conserve cash. Analysts, however, already have noted problems in making the strategy succeed. Wal-Mart, Carrefour and other global giants, meanwhile, might take advantage of the situation to accelerate the pace of their cash-and-carry operations in India.